Israeli newspaper Maariv has highlighted a recent increase in missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the kingdom’s oil infrastructure, arguing that the attacks have exposed limitations in Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities despite its substantial defence spending.
In its coverage on Monday, the newspaper raised the question of whether Israel could intervene to assist Saudi Arabia in confronting the Houthis, noting that American assistance has so far been limited to intelligence sharing and indirect support.
“Will Israel intervene to save Saudi Arabia?” the newspaper asked, as it examined the kingdom’s difficulties in countering Houthi military operations.
According to Maariv, US President Donald Trump recently urged Riyadh to accept military assistance from Israel in its confrontation with the Houthis.
The newspaper added that Saudi Arabia, which it described as maintaining extensive security relations with Israel despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, has not publicly responded to the proposal.
Saudi Military Superiority Challenged by Houthi Capabilities
Maariv argued that Saudi Arabia’s substantial military expenditure and advanced weapons systems have not translated into a decisive advantage over the Houthis.
“Despite Saudi Arabia possessing one of the world’s largest defence budgets and equipping its forces with advanced fighter aircraft and air defence systems from the United States and other suppliers, the Houthis have proven to be a formidable adversary,” the newspaper stated.
It attributed this resilience to the Houthis’ substantial ground forces and their domestic production of missiles and drones, which it said have effectively neutralised Saudi Arabia’s military superiority.
The Israeli newspaper also examined the division of military responsibilities between Saudi forces and their Yemeni allies.
According to its assessment, Riyadh relies on militias aligned with the Yemeni government to conduct ground operations, while Saudi fighter jets and helicopters provide aerial support.
However, the newspaper suggested that this arrangement has failed to overcome the military and logistical challenges posed by the Houthis.
Interceptor Shortages and Limited American Military Support
Maariv identified shortages of interceptor missiles as a major obstacle facing Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems, particularly as the kingdom attempts to counter repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks.
The newspaper reported that Saudi air defences face substantial challenges because of insufficient interceptor stocks, alongside the reluctance of key allies, particularly the United States, to provide direct military assistance.
It argued that these limitations have complicated Riyadh’s efforts to protect critical infrastructure and counter the Houthis’ expanding offensive capabilities.
The report also raised questions about the extent to which Washington is prepared to intervene militarily on Saudi Arabia’s behalf, particularly as Israeli assistance has reportedly emerged as an option under consideration.
Iran’s Alleged Role in Supporting Houthi Operations
The Israeli newspaper further claimed that Iran has been supporting the Houthis in carrying out sophisticated attacks against Saudi territory.
According to Maariv, this assistance includes intelligence, military training and tactical guidance, which the newspaper linked to the Houthis’ ability to conduct increasingly complex operations.
The claims were presented as part of the newspaper’s assessment of the military factors enabling the Houthis to sustain pressure on Saudi Arabia.
Mobile Missile Launchers and Underground Facilities
Beyond foreign assistance, Maariv highlighted the Houthis’ domestic military infrastructure as a central factor in their ability to withstand Saudi air attacks.
The newspaper reported that the movement possesses a fleet of mobile missile-launching platforms and underground production facilities, enabling it to preserve military capabilities despite repeated aerial bombardment.
These systems, according to the newspaper, make it more difficult for Saudi forces to identify and destroy the Houthis’ operational infrastructure.
The report also drew attention to Yemen’s mountainous terrain along its 1,287-kilometre border with Saudi Arabia, which the Houthis have reportedly used to their military advantage.
The combination of mobile launchers, underground facilities, domestically produced weapons and difficult geography has, in the newspaper’s assessment, enabled the movement to withstand air strikes while continuing to pose a military challenge to the kingdom.
